(Closed) VIP Wedding

I’m all about making my guests feel comfortable and special. The wedding is a representation of me and my FI but I want everyone to feel like they are VIPs at our party! What were some unique touches that made you feel like the bride and groom really thought about you on the wedding day? Or what are you planning to do on your day to include or make your guests feel welcome and included? Was it bathroom baskets, candy buffets, a certain favor, a unique game? I’m looking to pick your brains for ideas.

We are going to be doing an open bar/pub [pub tables and all], also a spacious dance floor, candy buffet, and a lounge with coffee tables [we’ll have baskets filled with favors on the coffee tables]. We have many at home “bartenders” in my family who are going to take turns making the drinks, we think this will be a great time for them to be interactive, show off their skills and meet other family members.

I’ve always had a good time at weddings… but the last one we went to one the B&G didn’t even talk to us the entire night. I understand logistically you can’t always do a receiving line or table visits but we were there and didn’t say a word to them or see them all night!

We are considering doing mochi as favors, but a lot if our guests don’t know what it is and may not like it. So we’re using them as seating cards, and at their seats they’ll find a quick handwritten note addressed to each person and signed by us explaining the sentimental significance, what it tastes like, and that we hope they like them. We’ll switch the language up as much as we can on each note so they know how personalized they are. For example, I’ll write some in my native tongue, others will be informally worded, others more formal.

We did a wine box ritual, but held it during the reception rather than the actual ceremony; we printed up some note cards and left them (and pens) on the tables, and during dinner asked each guest to write us a note which we’d read in 5 years when we drink our wine. Can’t wait to read them! And our guests all thought that was a lovely touch.

We also went out of our way to make sure to at least say hello to every guest, and thank them for coming, and I think folks found that a lot more meaningful in terms of VIP treatment than a bathroom basket or favor.

@nl: we had everything at one location. we had a huge backdrop with our monogram and logos on it, when our guests came into the venue they had their picture taken infront of it (like on the red carpet). after the ceremony, those pics were printed and used as their escort cards for dinner.

cocktail hour had amazing food and champagne with hibiscus. it was delicious, beautiful and the pink coordinated with my theme.

@mypinkshoes: I have an open bar, but if I do some high end items, what would you recommend? I know nothing about alcohol and FI and i aren’t drinkers ( i don;t drink at all) so i’m kinda clueless. if i were to add to the bar, what should I do? Thats a really good idea.

@nl: Well, you need to decide if you’re going to be doing martinis, margaritas, mixed drinks or just shots! What me and my fiance are doing is making a list of 20 or so drinks, and having the ingrediants on hand for those [of course, they can mix anything else they like, but we wont have ingrediants for every drink out there]. We put these on each table in a very tall menu holder so they know what drinks we have on hand. We are just going to buy all the alochol ourselves, as its way more expensive to get it catered in.

Also, you might be wondering why they are all different prices. The more times alcohol is filtered, the more expensive it becomes, However, the more its filtered, the smoother/better tasting it comes. So that nasty burning sensation you get from a $20 whiskey, you won’t get from a $90 whiskey.

Hope this helps!

After you figure out what you want to do, all you need to do is walk into your local bar and look at the top shelves – those are the most expensive ones.

We have a TON of lounge seating at ours. And we are doing away with head tables, which always come off as show-offy to me. We’re also thinking of opening the bar before the ceremony (6pm wedding) so that guests can get drinks before the show starts.

We’re debating on favors. I dont like them and I cant think of anything besides food that all guests would like, so I think I am going to do a really awesome late night snack instead.

@ohmybears48: That sounds like a fun time! I also didn;t know what to do about favors, so I did a donation to a charity that is near and dear to both FI and my heart. We also have a ton of food options at our wedding and im doing an after party at the bowling alley a mile down the road, so pizza and bar will be there too! I’m really excited to see it all come together. Your wedding sounds great!

If I could (although it might look a bit weird at a wedding) I would have a few armchairs in a corner with a standing lamp and a couple of bookshelves stuffed with books 🙂 Our wedding is book themed so it would be appropriate just might look strange!